The United Kingdom and Côte d’Ivoire sign Economic Partnership Agreement

16 Oct 2020 12:08 PM

An agreement has been signed between the United Kingdom and the Côte d’Ivoire to secure our trade arrangements.

The United Kingdom and Côte d’Ivoire yesterday (15 October 2020) signed an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), maintaining existing trade arrangements.

Minister for International Trade, Ranil Jayawardena MP signed the agreement with Her Excellency Sara Affoué Amani, Ambassador of Côte d’Ivoire to the United Kingdom, in London.

The agreement allows businesses to trade as freely as they do now, without any additional barriers or tariffs – and provides a firm foundation from which both sides can further deepen our trading relationship and pursue common interests.

Total UK trade with Côte d’Ivoire was £401 million in 2019. Top imports to UK from Côte d’Ivoire were in cocoa beans and cocoa preparations (£192 million), and edible fruit and nuts, mostly bananas (£22 million). The UK market accounts for 23% of total exports of cocoa butter from Côte d’Ivoire, as well as 6% of bananas.

Minister for International Trade, Ranil Jayawardena yesterday said:

“The preferential trading terms, secured by this agreement are part of HM Government’s commitment to supporting developing countries by reducing poverty through trade. Through providing tariff free market access to Britain, this agreement supports jobs and economic development in Côte d’Ivoire. It will underpin trade in processed cocoa and bananas, supporting the livelihoods of Ivorians working in these sectors and guaranteeing access for British consumers.”

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